Method, apparatus and system for signaling resource partition

ABSTRACT

Signaling resource partition of a component carrier in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The number of primary resource blocks and the number of extension resource blocks of the component carrier is encoded and signaled to a UE, so the UE can obtain the resource partition of the component carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/175,529, filed on Jul. 1, 2011, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2010/070009, filed on Jan. 4, 2010.The International Application claims priority to InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2009/070010, filed on Jan. 4, 2009, both of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a field of wireless communication,especially it relates to a method, apparatus and system for signalingresource partition.

BACKGROUND

When constructing new digital radio communication systems, there is aneed for increasing data rates in the system in relation to data ratesof preceding radio communication systems to satisfy service demand. Newservices are continuously provided, which require higher data rates. Tosupport higher data rates, e.g., Long Term Evolution Advanced(LTE-Advanced) is being developed. Also, in order not to force users ofthe preceding radio communication system to buy new equipment, such asuser equipment devices (UEs), every time a new radio communicationsystem or an updated version of an old system is launched, backwardscompatibility should preferably be assured in the new or updated radiocommunication system. This gradual change of equipment requirements alsogives the users some time to exchange their equipment.

In this document, the embodiments of the disclosure will be exemplifiedfor the LTE-Advanced system, and thus for Advanced E-UTRA. However, theembodiments of the disclosure are applicable to essentially any systemutilizing multicarrier transmission, such as Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiplexing (OFDM) transmission, as is clear for a skilledperson. The term LTE is generally used for denoting Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access/Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork (E-UTRA/E-UTRAN). Correspondingly, the term LTE-Advanced is inthis document used for denoting Advanced E-UTRA/Advanced E-UTRAN, andeNodeB denoting a base station of such system.

For the LTE/LTE-Advanced case, backwards compatibility means that a LTEUser Equipment (UE) should be able to work in the LTE-Advanced system.Correspondingly, here, and throughout this document, “backwardscompatible” (or simply “compatible”) means that equipment of a legacysystem (i.e. an older system) should be able to work in the new systembeing defined.

SUMMARY

In e.g. LTE, time-frequency resources of a carrier are divided intoresource blocks (RBs), which represent orthogonal resources to be usedfor transmission. In example LTE, transmission/reception is performedover one carrier at a time, i.e., a single component carrier. For higherdata rates and backwards compatibility, it is carrier aggregation may beadvantageous in an example development, LTE-Advanced, utilizingsimultaneous transmission/reception over multiple so called componentcarriers. A component carrier structure may include RBs of a legacysystem, such as LTE in relation to LTE-Advanced, referred to as primaryRBs and RBs of a new or more developed system, such as LTE-Advanced,referred to as extension RBs. So for the LTE example, there would bededicated LTE-Advanced RBs and LTE RBs. The component carrier structurecould, e.g., be achieved by partitioning the frequency domain throughFrequency Domain Multiplexing (FDM), and multiplexing LTE andLTE-Advanced transmissions to different parts of the component carrierbandwidth. The component carrier thus supports a primary transmissionscheme (e.g. LTE) as well as another secondary transmission scheme (e.g.LTE-Advanced). The allocation of number of primary RBs and the number ofextension RBs may be considered a resource partitioning of the componentcarrier. To communicate the resource partition of the component carrierto user equipment, UE, may be a problem as such.

A related problem is associated with encoding of the number of extensionRBs of the component carrier.

A further problem pertains to signaling of the encoded number ofextension RBs of the component carrier.

Also, a problem is related to signaling of multiple encoded numbers ofextension RBs of multiple component carriers.

Further, a problem is how to signal the encoded number of primary RBs ofthe component carrier when the component carrier only comprisesextension RBs.

A further problem refers to operations when the extension RBs of thecomponent carrier are located asymmetrically around the primary RBs.

With the purpose of solving one or more of the above indicated problems,and from the standpoint of the above indicated field of disclosure, thisspecification includes a number of embodiments or modes of exercisingthe disclosure.

One example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method forsignaling resource partition of at least one component carrier in awireless communication system, wherein the component carrier comprisesprimary RBs and/or extension RBs.

In a further example embodiment, the encoding the number of extensionRBs of a first component carrier includes: encoding the number ofextension RBs with an encoding method being independent of the number ofprimary RBs of the first component carrier.

In a further development, the encoding the number of extension RBs ofthe first component carrier includes: encoding the number of extensionRBs and the number of primary RBs of the first component carrier with ajoint encoding method.

To avoid any risk of misunderstanding, the abovementioned furtherembodiment does not exclude example embodiments, wherein the encodingthe number of extension RBs of the first component carrier includesencoding the number of extension RBs with an encoding method beingdependent on the number of primary RBs of the first component carrier.

Furthermore, example signaling of the encoded number of extension RBsincludes: signaling the encoded number of extension RBs through thefirst component carrier or a second component carrier.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, signaling of theencoded number of extension RBs preferably includes: signaling theencoded number of extension RBs through at least one primary RB of acomponent carrier.

Furthermore, the signaling the encoded number of extension RBs throughat least one primary RB of a component carrier preferably includes:signaling the encoded number of extension RBs through spare values orspare bits in an existing master information block (MIB) or through anew MIB, in the primary RBs of a component carrier.

According to one example embodiment of the disclosure, the signaling theencoded number of extension RBs through at least one primary RB of acomponent carrier includes: signaling the encoded number of extensionRBs through new fields in at least one existing system information block(SIB) or through at least one new SIB in the primary RBs of a componentcarrier.

According to one option, the signaling the encoded number of extensionRBs includes signaling the encoded number of extension RBs through atleast one extension RB of a component carrier.

Also according to an option, the signaling the encoded number ofextension RBs includes signaling the encoded number of extension RBsthrough at least one subcarrier located between two component carriers.

According to a further option, the signaling the encoded number ofextension RBs includes: signaling the encoded number of extension RBs ofthe first component carrier and encoded number of extension RBs of athird component carrier through the same component carrier.

Finally, according to an additional option the signaling the encodednumber of extension RBs includes signaling the encoded number ofextension RBs of the first component carrier and encoded number ofextension RBs of a third component carrier through the same at least onesubcarrier located between two component carriers.

In one example realization, the first component carrier only includesextension RBs, and where the number of primary RBs of the componentcarrier is 0.

According to an example further mode of the disclosure, the signalingthe encoded number of primary RBs through at least one primary RB of acomponent carrier preferably includes signaling the encoded number ofprimary RBs through spare values in an existing MIB of a componentcarrier.

Further according to an aspect of the disclosure, if the extension RBsof the first component carrier are located asymmetrically around theprimary RBs of the first component carrier, the method preferablyincludes encoding additional information on the location of theextension RBs of the first component carrier; and signaling the encodedadditional information on the location of the extension RBs; or if theextension RBs of the first component carrier are located asymmetricallyaround the primary RBs of the first component carrier, the methodfurther includes using predefined rules to determine the location of theextension RBs of the first component carrier.

Also, according to an aspect of the disclosure the number of extensionRBs is indirectly represented by the total number of RBs of the firstcomponent carrier or directly represented by the actual number ofextension RBs of the first component carrier.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for receivingresource partition of at least one component carrier in a wirelesscommunication system, wherein the component carrier comprises primaryRBs and/or extension RBs. The method includes: receiving an encodednumber of primary RBs of a component carrier; receiving an encodednumber of extension RBs of the component carrier; decoding the encodednumber of primary RBs to obtain the number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier; and decoding the encoded number of extension RBsaccording to a representation comprising the number of extension RBs forany supported number of primary RBs to obtain the number of extensionRBs of the component carrier.

Furthermore, the decoding the encoded number of extension RBs includes:decoding the encoded number of extension RBs dependently on the numberof primary RBs of the component carrier to obtain the number ofextension RBs of the component carrier.

Furthermore, the number of extension RBs is indirectly represented bythe total number of RBs of the component carrier or directly representedby the actual number of extension RBs of the component carrier.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a data structure whichcomprises resource partition information of a component carrier in awireless communication system, wherein the component carrier comprisesprimary RBs and/or extension RBs. The data structure includes at leastone entity which indicates an available number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier for a supported number of primary RBs.

In a development, the entity is encoded independently of the number ofprimary RBs of the component carrier.

In a further development, the entity indicates one available combinationof the number of primary RBs and the number of extension RBs, whereinthe entity is encoded jointly with the number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier.

The aforementioned does not exclude from embodiments of the disclosurethat the entity indicates one available combination of the number ofprimary RBs and the number of extension RBs, wherein the entity isencoded dependently on the number of primary RBs of the componentcarrier.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus forsignaling resource partition of at least one component carrier in awireless communication system, wherein the component carrier comprisesprimary RBs and/or extension RBs. The apparatus includes: a primaryencoding module, configured to encode the number of primary RBs of acomponent carrier; an extension encoding module, configured to encodenumber of extension RBs of the component carrier according to arepresentation comprising the number of extension RBs for any supportednumber of primary RBs, wherein the encoded number of extension RBsidentifies for the number of primary RBs the available number ofextension RBs; a primary signaling module, configured to signal theencoded number of primary RBs through at least one primary RB of thecomponent carrier; and an extension signaling module, configured tosignal the encoded number of extension RBs.

In a development, the extension encoding module includes a firstencoding module, configured to encode the number of extension RBs withan encoding method being independent of the number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier according to a representation comprising the number ofextension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

In a further development, the extension encoding module includes: asecond encoding module, configured to encode the number of extension RBsand the number of primary RBs of the component carrier with a jointencoding method according to a representation comprising the number ofextension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

The abovementioned does not exclude that the extension encoding moduleincludes a third encoding module, configured to encode the number ofextension RBs with an encoding method being dependent on the number ofprimary RBs of the component carrier according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs.

Further, the extension signaling module preferably includes a firstsignaling module, configured to signal the encoded number of extensionRBs through at least one primary RB of a component carrier.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the extension signalingmodule includes a second signaling module, configured to signal theencoded number of extension RBs through at least one extension RB of acomponent carrier.

In a further aspect, the extension signaling module includes a thirdsignaling module configured to signal the encoded number of extensionRBs through at least one subcarrier located between two componentcarriers.

In one sample embodiment, the number of extension RBs is indirectlyrepresented by the total number of RBs of the component carrier ordirectly represented by the actual number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides user equipment (UE)for receiving resource partition of at least one component carrier in awireless communication system, wherein the component carrier comprisesprimary RBs and/or extension RBs. The UE includes: a primary receivingmodule, configured to receive an encoded number of primary RBs of acomponent carrier; an extension receiving module, configured to receivean encoded number of extension RBs of the component carrier; a primarydecoding module, configured to decode the encoded number of primary RBsto obtain the number of primary RBs of the component carrier; and anextension decoding module, configured to decode the encoded number ofextension RBs according to a representation comprising the number ofextension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs to obtain thenumber of extension RBs of the component carrier.

According to a development, the extension decoding module includes afirst decoding module, configured to decode the encoded number ofextension RBs dependently on the number of primary RBs of the componentcarrier according to a representation comprising the number of extensionRBs for any supported number of primary RBs to obtain the number ofextension RBs of the component carrier.

According to a further development, the number of extension RBs isindirectly represented by the total number of RBs of the componentcarrier or directly represented by the actual number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system for signalingresource partition of at least one component carrier in a wirelesscommunication system, wherein the component carrier comprises primaryRBs and/or extension RBs. The system includes: a base station,configured to encode the number of primary RBs of a component carrier;encode the number of extension RBs of the component carrier according toa representation comprising the number of extension RBs for anysupported number of primary RBs, wherein the encoded number of extensionRBs identifies for the number of primary RBs the available number ofextension RBs; signal the encoded number of primary RBs through at leastone primary RB of the component carrier; and signaling the encodednumber of extension RBs; and a user equipment (UE), configured toreceive the encoded number of primary RBs of the component carrier;receive the encoded number of extension RBs of the component carrier;decode the encoded number of primary RBs to get the number of primaryRBs of the component carrier; and decode the encoded number of extensionRBs according to a representation comprising the number of extension RBsfor any supported number of primary RBs to get the number of extensionRBs of the component carrier.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer programproduct including computer program code. The computer program code, whenexecuted, enables a computer or processing circuitry to perform thesteps of the above methods for signaling resource partition of at leastone component carrier in a wireless communication system.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer readablemedium, wherein the above computer program code is carried by thecomputer readable medium.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer programproduct comprising computer program code. The computer program code,when executed, enables a computer or processing circuitry to perform thesteps of the above methods for receiving resource partition of at leastone component carrier in a wireless communication system.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer readablemedium, wherein the above computer program code is carried by thecomputer readable medium.

The advantages of a method, apparatus and system according to someembodiments of the present disclosure are that it can communicate aresource partition of a component carrier to a UE.

A further advantage according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis that the number of extension RBs of the component carrier can beencoded according to a representation comprising the number of extensionRBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

A further advantage according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis that the encoded number of extension RBs of the component carrier canbe signaled through a component carrier or subcarriers.

A further advantage according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis that multiple encoded numbers of extension RBs of multiple componentcarriers can be signaled through the same component carrier orsubcarriers.

A further advantage according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis that when the component carrier only comprises extension RBs theencoded number of primary RBs of the component carrier can be signaledthrough spare values or spare bits in an existing master informationblock (MIB) of a component carrier.

A further advantage according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis that when the extension RBs of the component carrier are locatedasymmetrically around the primary RBs, the UE can obtain the location ofthe extension RBs via additional information or predefined rules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some methods, apparatuses, and a system according to the presentdisclosure will now be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates some examples of a component carrier structureaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an architecture diagram of an apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an architecture diagram of a UE according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an architecture diagram of a system according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one detailed embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a component carrier structure accordingto one detailed embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another detailed embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of two component carriers' structureaccording to another detailed embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic and very simplified illustration of a compactdisc carrying computer program code according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates some examples of a component carrier structure. Thetop of FIG. 1 depicts a component carrier structure where the RBs withinbandwidths A1 and A2 (containing extension RBs) are only received byLTE-Advanced UEs, while the RBs within bandwidth B (containing primaryRBs) can be received by both LTE UEs and LTE-Advanced UEs. Extension RBsmay not be received by LTE UEs, since either the component carrierbandwidth does not commensurate with those defined for LTE, or since thechannel structures on the extension RBs are different from those of LTE.With such a component carrier structure, LTE-Advanced UEs can access thecarrier as any LTE UE through the central part B, facilitating backwardscompatibility. The extension RBs of the component carrier may be locatedasymmetrically around the primary RBs as shown in the top of FIG. 1 orlocated symmetrically around the primary RBs. At a later stage, most UEsmay be capable of LTE-Advanced support, so the RBs within bandwidth Bcould be reduced and there may even be component carriers not having aLTE part (part B in FIG. 1), i.e., the bandwidth B=0, which is depictedin the middle of FIG. 1. The other extreme case, where there are noLTE-Advanced resources (A1=A2=0), is showed in the bottom of FIG. 1.

The bandwidths A1 and A2 in FIG. 1 relate to the actual number ofextension RBs, while B relates to the number of primary RBs. The numberof extension RBs of the component carrier, denoted N_(E), may beindirectly represented by the total number of RBs of the componentcarrier, denoted N_(T), or be directly represented by the actual numberof extension RBs of the component carrier, denoted N_(E) ^(actual). Itis obvious that the total number of RBs of the component carrier N_(T)is the sum of the number of primary RBs (denoted N_(P)) and the actualnumber of extension RBs, i.e. N_(T)=N_(P)+N_(E) ^(actual). So if any twoof the three values are known, the remaining value can be determined andthen the resource partition of the component carrier can be found.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier N_(E) is indirectly represented by the totalnumber of RBs of the component carrier N_(T). Of course, the actualnumber of extension RBs of the component carrier N_(E) ^(actual) can beused to represent the number of extension RBs. It is straightforward toproduce a table (representation) directly using N_(E) ^(actual) and theprocedure is the same as the method when N_(T) is used, since N_(P) canbe assumed known to an LTE-Advanced UE due to backwards compatibility.

In order to give an understanding of the present disclosure it is firstdescribed how the number of primary RBs is communicated in the LTEsystem.

For establishing a connection to a cell in LTE, a UE first detects andsynchronizes to the cell by receiving the synchronization signals, andthen acquires the system information needed for operating within a cell.This system information is divided into several parts, depending on itspriority, and is transmitted with different type of periodicity. One ofthe crucial parts of the information is the downlink system bandwidth,i.e., the total number of available RBs of the component carrier. Thedownlink system bandwidth is included in the so called masterinformation block (MIB) which contains only a small part of the systeminformation and is transmitted with a periodicity of 40 ms on the BCH(Broadcast Channel). The BCH is a transport channel which in turn ismapped to the PBCH (Physical BCH) which is always located in the 6central RBs of the component carrier. Hence, the UE can receive the PBCH(and thus the MIB) without any prior information of the systembandwidth. The information contained in the MIB makes it possible toreceive the channels that occupy the whole component carrier bandwidth,e.g., the control information in the PDCCH (Physical Downlink ControlChannel) associated with the PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel),which contains the scheduled data transmissions.

The main part of the system information, excluding the MIB, istransmitted on other so called system information blocks (SIBs). TheSIBs are mapped to different system information messages (SIs), whichare transmitted with different periodicities, longer than 40 ms. TheSIBs are transmitted on the DL-SCH (Downlink-Shared Channel) transportchannel which is mapped to the PDSCH, i.e., they are scheduled throughthe PDCCH. There are a number of different SIBs, e.g., SIB1 containsinformation if the UE is allowed to camp on the cell and schedulinginformation of the other system information, whereas SIB2 containsinformation needed for the UE to access the cell.

In LTE, there are a number of different transmission bandwidthconfigurations (i.e., different number of supported RBs) for differentchannel bandwidths. Table 1 shows the supported configurations of LTE.

TABLE 1 Transmission band- Channel bandwidth width configuration [MHz][RBs] 1.4 6 3 15 5 25 10 50 15 75 20 100

These 6 bandwidth configurations are signaled through 3 bits in the MIB,which is always transmitted in the central 6 RBs of the componentcarrier. Hence, with these 3 bits, 8 configurations could be encoded andthere are thus 2 spare values not being used. It can be noted that thereis no configuration for 0 RBs currently defined, i.e., the resourcepartition depicted in the middle of FIG. 1. In LTE there exists noextension RBs in a component carrier, so the number of primary RBsalways equals the total number of RBs of the component carrier and thereis thus only one resource partition of the component carrier, which canbe obtained by a UE via only knowing the number of the RBs of thecomponent carrier.

An LTE-Advanced UE can due to backwards compatibility receive the LTEpart of a component carrier (if such an LTE part exists) and thereby besignaled the LTE downlink bandwidth (referred herein as to primarybandwidth or primary RBs). Thus providing the primary RBs forLTE-Advanced UE is similar to the procedure in LTE. The remainingproblem is to provide information to the LTE-Advanced UE about theextension RBs (time-frequency resources) dedicated to LTE-Advancedtransmissions.

As multiple component carriers could be aggregated, LTE-Advanced UEsshould receive information on the resource partition for each componentcarrier, respectively.

En example method for signaling resource partition of at least onecomponent carrier briefly includes: encoding the number of primary RBsof a first component carrier; encoding the number of extension RBs ofthe first component carrier according to a representation comprising thenumber of extension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs, whereinthe encoded number of extension RBs identifies for the number of primaryRBs the available number of extension RBs; signaling the encoded numberof primary RBs through at least one primary RB of the first componentcarrier; and signaling the encoded number of extension RBs.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a method for signaling resourcepartition of at least one component carrier to a UE in a wirelesscommunication system in more detail and comprising various options oralternatives. The method may be performed by a transmitter, base stationor eNodeB.

Block 201: The number of primary RBs of a first component carrier isencoded.

The number of primary RBs may be denoted N_(P). This block is similar tothe encoding procedure of the number of RBs of a component carrier inthe LTE.

Block 202: The number of extension RBs of the first component carrier isencoded according to a representation comprising the number of extensionRBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

The encoded number of extension RBs identifies for the number of primaryRBs the available number of extension RBs.

The amount of information that should be signaled depends on how manycomponent carrier bandwidths that may be supported. At least the 6configurations from LTE should be possible and preferably also widercomponent carriers may be supported. A component carrier can at most be110 RBs wide.

Concretely, block 202 may include the following options.

A. The number of extension RBs of the first component carrier is encodedwith an encoding method being independent of the number of primary RBsof the first component carrier according to a representation comprisingthe number of extension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

This option is to encode the number of extension RBs separately andindependently of the number of primary RBs. For N supported extension RBconfigurations of the first component carrier, log₂(N) bits would beneeded. For example, with 3 bits, there can be 8 configurations of N_(E)of the first component carrier, resulting in that at most two newcarrier bandwidths may be introduced in addition to those supported forLTE. Thus 3 new bits and the 3 bits in the MIB would be signaled. Table2 (a representation) shows an example of this option, where thebandwidth configuration is represented by a 3-bit word. We could alsouse other representations with other alphabets, orderings or informationentities. The entries in Table 2 denote the total number of the RBs ofthe first component carrier N_(T), from which one can determine theactual number of extension RBs N_(E) ^(actual)=N_(T)−N_(P). It isstraightforward to produce a table (representation) directly using N_(E)^(actual).

TABLE 2 Bit configuration N_(P) {0, 0, 0} {0, 0, 1} {0, 1, 0} {0, 1, 1}{1, 0, 0} {1, 0, 1} {1, 1, 0} {1, 1, 1} 6 N/A N/A 100 75 50 25 15 6 15N/A N/A 100 75 50 25 15 N/A 25 N/A N/A 100 75 50 25 N/A N/A 50 N/A N/A100 75 50 N/A N/A N/A 75 N/A N/A 100 75 N/A N/A N/A N/A 100 N/A N/A 100N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

In this example, we can see that this representation includes all thenumbers of extension RBs, i.e. all the total number of RBs (6, 15, 25,50, 75 and 100) for any supported number of primary RBs (0, 6, 15, 25,50, 75 and 100). The N/A entries denote non-applicable combinations thatwould not be signaled to a UE. One encoded number of extension RBs {0,1, 0} (an entity of the representation) identifies N_(E)=100, always andindependently of the value N_(P). One encoded number of N_(E) {1, 0, 1}(another entity of the representation) identifies N_(E)=25, but when theN_(P) is 50, 75 or 100, the N_(E)(N_(T)) cannot be 25, so in thissituation the number of the extension RBs 25 is not available and willnot be encoded to {1, 0, 1}. For similar reason it should be noted thata row in table 2 for N_(P)=0, if included, would read identically thesame as the row for six primary RBs, N_(P)=6, (except for the number inthe column of N_(P)).

It is obvious for the skilled person to use different bit configurationto indicate different N_(E), for example, to use the {0, 1, 1} toindicate N_(E)=50 instead of 75. If the supported number of bandwidthconfigurations of the first component carrier is, N=7 or N=8, the sparebit words {0, 0, 0} and {0, 0, 1} can be used to indicate the new valuesfor N_(E).

B. The number of extension RBs and the number of primary RBs of thefirst component carrier is encoded with a joint encoding methodaccording to a representation comprising the number of extension RBs forany supported number of primary RBs.

This option is to jointly encode the number of extension RBs and thenumber of primary RBs. That is each supported combination (N_(E), N_(P))is encoded. Consider the following example, where it is assumed that thecomponent carriers, including the extension resources, are limited tothe number of RBs described by Table 1. Table 3 (another representation)shows the encoding of the supported number of extension RBs by 5-bitwords. We could also use other representations with other alphabets,orderings or information entities.

TABLE 3 N_(E)(N_(T)) N_(P) 6 15 25 50 75 100 6 {0, 0, 0, 0, 0} {0, 0, 0,0, 1} {0, 0, 0, 1, 0} {0, 0, 0, 1, 1} {0, 0, 1, 0, 0} {0, 0, 1, 0, 1} 15N/A {0, 0, 1, 1, 0} {0, 0, 1, 1, 1} {0, 1, 0, 0, 0} {0, 1, 0, 0, 1} {0,1, 0, 1, 0} 25 N/A N/A {0, 1, 0, 1, 1} {0, 1, 1, 0, 0} {0, 1, 1, 0, 1}{0, 1, 1, 1, 0} 50 N/A N/A N/A {0, 1, 1, 1, 1} {1, 0, 0, 0, 0} {1, 0, 0,0, 1} 75 N/A N/A N/A N/A {1, 0, 0, 1, 0} {1, 0, 0, 1, 1} 100 N/A N/A N/AN/A N/A {1, 0, 1, 0, 0}

Thus if N_(P)=6, N_(E)(N_(T)) could here take on 6 values, but only 1value if N_(P)=100. Hence there is no use to encode the N/A entries, butonly the

$\frac{N( {N + 1} )}{2}$

eligible combinations. The total number of bits required for such jointencoding is therefore

$\lceil {\log_{2}\frac{N( {N + 1} )}{2}} \rceil,$

where with N=6 supported bandwidth configurations of the first componentcarrier (6, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100), 5 bits are required. This form ofencoding does not make any assumption on that the LTE-Advanced UEalready has been signaled the value of N_(P). This solution may thus beparticularly useful if LTE-Advanced UEs may not receive the LTE MIB.Thus the 3 bits for signaling the number of primary RBs are notnecessarily utilized and essentially 5 new bits in this example need tobe signaled to the LTE-Advanced UE. The entries on the diagonalcorrespond to the case where there are no dedicated extension RBs, whichis depicted in the bottom of FIG. 1.

In this example, we can see that this representation includes all thenumbers of extension RBs (6, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100) for any supportednumber of primary RBs (6, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100). Each entity of thisrepresentation indicates one available combination of the number ofprimary RBs and the number of extension RBs. One encoded number ofextension RBs {0, 0, 0, 1, 0} (an entity of the representation)identifies the available number of extension RBs N_(E)=25 for the numberof primary RBs N_(P)=6, i.e. the available combination (N_(E),N_(P))=(25, 6).

It is obvious for the skilled person to use different bit configurationto indicate different combination (N_(E), N_(P)).

C. The number of extension RBs of the first component carrier is encodedwith an encoding method being dependent on the number of primary RBs ofthe first component carrier according to a representation comprising thenumber of extension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

This option is to separately encode the number of primary RBs and thenumber of extension RBs, but make the encoded number of extension RBsdependent on the number of primary RBs N_(P). In the example in Table 3,in principle 3 bits would suffice to signal the 6 values of N_(E) inaddition to the 3 bits in the MIB. However, with 3 additional bits(i.e., in total 6 bits) further information could be encoded by makinguse of the N/A entries in the table. This can be achieved by making theinterpretation of the 3 new bits dependent on the encoded number ofprimary RBs. For example a given bit combination could correspond toN_(E)=6 if N_(P)=6. At the same time, the same bit combination couldcorrespond to say N_(E)=100 if N_(P)=100. Hence, by utilizing the 3 bitsin the MIB used for encoding the number of primary RBs, this may be aneven more efficient way of encoding than joint encoding.

For carrier aggregation in LTE-Advanced, use of component carriers widerthan those defined for LTE preferably makes useful all the entries inTable 3 indicated as N/A. Table 4 (another representation) exemplifieshow a 3-bit word could encode different configurations depending on thevalue of N_(P). We could also use other representations with otheralphabets, orderings or information entities. Thus, in total 6 bits areused, namely the already existing 3 bits in the MIB from LTE and 3 newbits for LTE-Advanced. This encoding results in more valid carrierconfigurations for LTE-Advanced, than if N_(E) would have been encodedindependently from N_(P). In this example, the numbers ranging from102to 110 are listed as other possible values of N_(E)(N_(T)), which arewider than the ones supported in LTE. However, they could be replacedwith any new supported value not necessarily just extending a 100 RBcarrier (e.g., extending a 75 RB wide carrier to 77, 79 RBs etc.). Inthis example, bit combination {1, 1, 1} always corresponds to the casewhere there are no dedicated LTE-Advanced RBs (N_(T)=N_(P)), which isdepicted in the bottom of FIG. 1.

TABLE 4 Bit configuration N_(P) {0, 0, 0} {0, 0, 1} {0, 1, 0} {0, 1, 1}{1, 0, 0} {1, 0, 1} {1, 1, 0} {1, 1, 1} 6 104 102 100 75 50 25 15 6 15106 104 102 100 75 50 25 15 25 108 106 104 102 100 75 50 25 50 110 108106 104 102 100 75 50 75 N/A 110 108 106 104 102 100 75 100 N/A N/A 110108 106 104 102 100

In this example, we can see that this representation includes all thenumbers of extension RBs (6, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and110) for any supported number of primary RBs (6, 15, 25, 50, 75 and100). Each entity of this representation indicates one availablecombination of the number of primary RBs and the number of extensionRBs. Hence, the 3 bits, when combined with the 3 bits in the MIB,provides 45 eligible combinations. One encoded number of extension RBs{0, 1, 1} (an entity of the representation) identifies the availablenumber of extension RBs N_(E)=100 if N_(P)=15, hence it is dependent onthe number of primary RBs and the available combination is (N_(E),N_(P))=(100, 15).

It is obvious for the skilled person to use different bit configurationto indicate different combination (N_(E), N_(P)).

Block 203: The encoded number of primary RBs is signaled. Preferably itis signaled through at least one primary RB. In a preferred mode of thedisclosure, it is signaled on the first component carrier.

This block is similar to the signaling procedure of the number of RBs ofa component carrier to a UE in the LTE.

Block 204: The encoded number of extension RBs is signaled to a UE.

Specifically, block 202 may include the following options.

A. The encoded number of extension RBs is signaled through a componentcarrier.

The encoded number of extension RBs may be signaled through the firstcomponent carrier or a second component carrier. It means the encodednumber of extension RBs of component carrier 1 may be signaled incomponent carrier 2.

The option A may specifically have following example options.

1. The Encoded Number of Extension RBs is Signaled Through at Least OnePrimary RB of a Component Carrier.

For signaling encoded number of extension RBs on primary resources, itis essential to maintain backwards compatibility for the primary system.That means, LTE UE should not need to have knowledge about the presenceof the extension resource information. Specifically, a number of suchsignaling options exist.

1) Signaling on the MIB

The encoded number of extension RBs may be signaled through spare valuesor spare bits in an existing MIB or through a new MIB, in the primaryRBs of a component carrier.

For example, the two spare values in the LTE MIB could be used forcarrying the encoded number of extension RBs. Additionally, there are 10spare bits in the LTE MIB that also might be used. The advantage ofputting the information in the MIB is that it is possible to define anew DL-SCH for LTE-Advanced, i.e., any special SIBs for LTE-Advancedcould be transmitted over a bandwidth including the extension RBs.

A special utilization of the spare values in the MIB is to indicateLTE-Advanced dedicated component carriers, i.e., carriers where thereare no primary resources. This case is depicted in the middle of FIG. 1.If the first component carrier only comprises extension RBs, and wherethe number of primary RBs of the component carrier is 0, the encodednumber of primary RBs can be signaled through spare values in anexisting MIB of a component carrier.

If the LTE control signaling formats are kept also for this type ofcomponent carriers, an LTE UE could still be able to read the MIB.Hence, if the spare values in the MIB are used, an LTE UE shouldinterpret this as the component carrier does not contain any LTEresources, and abort its access procedure. Thus it would be possible toprevent any further accessing attempts to the carrier from an LTE UEs inan early stage.

For the LTE-Advanced UE, information contained in the spare values,possibly in combination with spare bits, could indicate where to findthe PDCCH so that extension RBs information could be transmitted on theDL-SCH, e.g., through a SIB.

2) Signaling on the SIB

The encoded number of extension RBs may be signaled through new fieldsin at least one existing SIB or through at least one new SIB in theprimary RBs of a component carrier.

The contents in the existing SIBs could be extended to include some newfields to carry the encoded number of extension RBs for an LTE-AdvancedUE, as an LTE UE would simply ignore such extra information. Forexample, SIB2 could be extended with the encoded number of extensionRBs.

There are currently a large number of SIBs defined for LTE, transmittedwith different periodicity. An example embodiment provides a completelynew SIB, to be transmitted on the LTE DL-SCH, which is read byLTE-Advanced UEs.

3) Signaling on Empty Control Channel Elements

The PDCCH is transmitted on sets of subcarriers, referred to as controlchannel elements (CCEs), which are interleaved over the primary systembandwidth. The usage of the CCEs depends on the scheduled number of UEsand there may thus be unused CCEs, which could be utilized fortransmitting other information, e.g., the encoded number of extensionRBs to LTE-Advanced UEs. LTE UEs would not be able to decode suchinformation while it would be possible for LTE-Advanced UEs to retrievethe information.

4) Signaling on Unused Physical Control Format Indicator Channel(PCFICH) State

The length of the control region where the PDCCH is transmitted is inLTE configurable to be 1, 2 or 3 OFDM symbols, which is signaled by twobits in the PORCH. The spare value can thus be used to carry informationabout the encoded number of extension RBs. For backwards compatibilityin this case, LTE UEs should assume that the control region is P symbolsif the spare field is used, where P is either fixed or semi-staticallyconfigured by higher layers. If there is only one number of extensionRBs associated with each number of primary RBs, the single state inPCFICH would be sufficient to communicate the number of extension RBs tothe LTE-Advanced UEs.

5) Signaling on PDSCH Resources

The information of number of extension RBs could be transmitted inreserved PDSCH resources. For other transmissions, either some specialform of rate matching could be used around the reserved elements.Alternatively, no special encoding is done and the UE would simply takethese elements into account in its decoding process. For instance,either trying to decode them as data if their presence is unknown, orregarding them as erasures if their presence is known.

6) Signaling on Dedicated Radio Resource Control (RRC) Signaling

Since the base station (eNodeB) can determine whether the UE is capableof LTE-Advanced transmission, it can establish UE dedicated RRCsignaling, on the primary resources. Such signaling may thus include theencoded number of extension RBs.

2. The Encoded Number of Extension RBs is Signaled Through at Least OneExtension RB of a Component Carrier.

The number of extension RBs could be signaled on the extensionresources, which would not affect the transmissions on the primaryresources. For signaling on the extension resources, the UE may have torely on different forms of hypothesis testing and blind detection, sincethe amount of extension resources is unknown and there may be componentcarriers only having primary RBs and no extension RBs. The signaling onextension resources is facilitated in numerous example alternatives.

1) Signaling on Reference Signals

The base station transmits common reference signals on the downlink tobe used for channel estimation and measurements. If there are referencesymbols on the extension resources, the possible locations of these canbe assumed known to the UE. Hence a UE can blindly detect the number ofextension RBs by energy detection on the reference signals and performhypothesis testing.

2) Signaling on Special Radio Signals

Different bandwidth configurations can be signaled by transmission of asignal generated from a set of sequences, where each sequence encodesone bandwidth configuration. The UE can correlate a received signal withthe set of sequences to determine the transmitted sequence, i.e., obtainthe number of extension resources. Since the primary bandwidth is knownto the UE, the possible location of the time-frequency resources usedfor transmitting such sequences could be determined implicitly from thevalue of the primary bandwidth. Hypothesis testing is then needed todetermine if the signal is present.

3) Signaling on Control Channels

The encoded number of extension RBs could be encoded (e.g., byconvolutional encoder), modulated and transmitted on the extensionresources as a new control channel for the secondary transmissionscheme. As mentioned previously, the location of the time-frequencyresources could be determined implicitly from the value of the primarybandwidth. Hypothesis testing is then needed to determine if the channelis present.

B. The encoded number of extension RBs is signaled through at least onesubcarrier located between two component carriers.

In case of carrier aggregation, there could be a number of unmodulatedsubcarriers being located between two component carriers. In some cases,such subcarriers could be modulated to carry the encoded number ofextension RBs.

These subcarriers may be regarded as not being part of any componentcarrier or RB but could be utilized for the special purpose of signalinginformation to LTE-Advanced UEs. Alternatively they could be regarded asa special-sized RB for LTE-Advanced UEs, possibly belonging to acomponent carrier. In any case the above encoding methods apply to suchsubcarriers as well.

When several resource partitions for multiple component carriers need tobe signaled, for example the first component carrier and another thirdcomponent carrier, it is possible to encode and signal each resourcepartition of a component carrier separately using the blocks 201-204. Ofcourse, it is also possible to signal the encoded numbers of extensionRBs of the multiple component carriers through one component carrier orat least one subcarrier, and then the block 204 includes:

The encoded number of extension RBs of the first component carrier andencoded number of extension RBs of a third component carrier aresignaled through the same component carrier; or

The encoded number of extension RBs of the first component carrier andencoded number of extension RBs of a third component carrier aresignaled through the same at least one subcarrier located between twocomponent carriers.

The method to signal the encoded number N_(E) is very flexible. Theabove signaling method may be combined. For instance, there are threecomponent carriers 1, 2 and 3. The encoded number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier 1, N_(E1), can be signaled through its primary RBsor extension RBs. The encoded number of extension RBs of the componentcarrier 2, N_(E2), can be signaled through the primary RBs or extensionRBs of the component carrier 3. The encoded number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier 3, N_(E3), can be signaled through at least onesubcarrier located between the component carrier 1 and the componentcarrier 2. The encoded values N_(E1) and N_(E2) can be signaled throughat least one primary RB or extension RB of component carrier 3. Theencoded values N_(E1) and N_(E3) can be signaled through at least onesubcarrier located between component carrier 1 and component carrier 2.

The extension resources on the component carrier may typically belocated symmetrically around the primary resources. It would thensuffice to signal a value N_(E) determining the component carrierresource partition. If the extension RBs of the first component carrierare located asymmetrically around the primary RBs, the method accordingto this embodiment may further include the following blocks.

Block 205: Additional information on the location of extension RBs ofthe first component carrier is encoded.

The additional information may be a bitmap which is used to indicate thelocation of the extension RBs of a component carrier. It may be encodedin conjunction with N_(E).

Block 206: The encoded additional information on the location ofextension RBs of the first component carrier is signaled to the UE.

The signaling method is similar to the above blocks about how tosignaling the encoded value N_(E). The encoded additional informationmay be signaled in conjunction with encoded value N_(E).

Instead of Block 205 and 206 the base station (eNodeB) and UE may alsouse some predefined rules to determine the location of the extension RBsof the first component carrier.

The number of extension RBs of the first component carrier, N_(E), maybe indirectly represented by the total number of RBs of the firstcomponent carrier, N_(T), or directly represented by the actual numberof extension RBs of the first component carrier, N_(E) ^(actual).

The order of the blocks according to this embodiment is also veryflexible besides the block 203 has to follow the block 201, the block204 has to follow the block 202 and block 206 has to follow the block205.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure a base station cancommunicate a resource partition of a component carrier to a UE viaencoding and signaling the number of extension RBs of the componentcarrier. The number of extension RBs of the component carrier can beencoded according to a representation comprising the number of extensionRBs for any supported number of primary RBs. The encoded number ofextension RBs of the component carrier can be signaled through acomponent carrier or subcarriers. Multiple encoded numbers of extensionRBs of multiple component carriers can be signaled through the samecomponent carrier or subcarrier. When the component carrier onlycomprises extension RBs the encoded number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier can be signaled through spare values or spare bits inan existing MIB of a component carrier. When the extension RBs of thecomponent carrier are located asymmetrically around the primary RBs theUE can get the location of the extension RBs via additional informationor predefined rules.

One embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described withreference to FIG. 3 showing a method for a UE to receive resourcepartition of at least one component carrier in a wireless communicationsystem. The UE may be a LTE-Advanced UE.

Block 301: The UE receives an encoded number of primary RBs of acomponent carrier.

The UE may receive the encoded number of primary RBs from the primary RBof the component carrier. This is similar to the procedure in the LTE.

Block 302: The UE receives an encoded number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier.

Where the UE receives the encoded number of extension RBs depends onwhich signaling option in block 204 is adopted by the base station. Forexample, if the encoded number of extension RBs of component carrier 1is signaled to the UE through the primary RBs or of component carrier 2,the UE receive the encoded number of extension RBs of the componentcarrier 1 from the primary RBs of the component carrier 2.

Block 303: The encoded number of primary RBs is decoded to obtain thenumber of primary RBs of the component carrier.

The UE can decode the encoded number of primary RBs to obtain the valueof N_(P), of the component carrier. This block is similar to thedecoding procedure of the number of RBs of a component carrier in theLTE. A special case is the encoded number of primary RBs received fromspare values in an existing MIB of a component carrier indicates thecomponent carrier only comprises extension RBs, and where the number ofprimary RBs of the component carrier is 0. Hence, the UE can know thatthe component carrier only comprises extension RBs.

Block 304: The encoded number of extension RBs is decoded according to arepresentation comprising the number of extension RBs for any supportednumber of primary RBs to obtain the number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier.

Specifically, this block includes following options corresponding towhich option in block 202 is adopted by the base station (eNodeB).

A. The UE directly decodes the encoded number of extension RBs accordingto a representation comprising the number of extension RBs for anysupported number of primary RBs to obtain the number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier.

If the base station uses the first option in block 202 to encode thenumber of extension RBs, N_(E), the UE can obtain N_(E) of the componentcarrier by directly decoding the encoded number of extension RBsaccording to the representation in the first option in block 202. Forexample, if the UE receives the encoded number of extension RBs {0, 1,0}, it can decode {0, 1, 0} to N_(E)=100 which corresponds to the entity{0, 1, 0} in the Table 2.

If the base station uses the second option in block 202 to encode thenumber of extension RBs, N_(E), the UE can obtain N_(E) of the componentcarrier by directly decoding the encoded number of extension RBsaccording to the representation in the second option in block 202. Forexample, if the UE receives the encoded number of extension RBs {0, 1,0, 0, 0}, it can decode {0, 1, 0, 0, 0} to (N_(E)=50, N_(P)=15) whichcorresponds to the entity {0, 1, 0, 0, 0} in the Table 3. In this case,in fact the 3 bits for signaling the number of primary RBs are notnecessarily utilized and essentially 5 new bits in this example need tobe signaled to the LTE-Advanced UE.

B. The UE decodes the encoded number of extension RBs dependently on thenumber of primary RBs of the component carrier to obtain the number ofextension RBs of the component carrier according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs to obtain the number of extension RBs of the componentcarrier.

If the base station uses the third option in block 202 to encode thenumber of extension RBs, N_(E), the UE has to know the number of primaryRBs firstly (If the N_(P) in the representation of the third option inblock 202 is represented by the encoded number, here the UE have to knowthe encoded number of primary RBs). Then it can obtain the N_(E) of thecomponent carrier by decoding the encoded number of extension RBsaccording to the representation in the second option in block 202. Forexample, if the decoded number of primary RBs is N_(P)=75 and the UEreceives the encoded number of extension RBs {0, 1, 0}, it can decode{0, 1, 0} to N_(E)=108 which corresponds to the entity {0, 1, 0} in theTable 4.

If the UE receives several encoded numbers of extension RBs of multiplecomponent carriers from the same component carrier or subcarrier, itjust decodes them separately and can obtain several numbers of extensionRBs of multiple component carriers.

If the extension RBs of the component carrier are located asymmetricallyaround the primary RBs, the method according to this embodiment mayfurther include the following blocks.

Block 305: The UE receives the encoded additional information on thelocation of extension RBs of the component carrier.

The additional information may be encoded in conjunction with encodednumber of extension RBs.

Block 306: The UE decodes the encoded additional information to obtainthe location of extension RBs of the component carrier.

The additional information may be a bitmap which is used to indicate thelocation of the extension RBs of a component carrier.

Instead of Block 305 and 306 the UE may also use some predefined rules(the same predefined rules used in the base station (eNodeB)) todetermine the location of the extension RBs of the component carrier.

The number of extension RBs of the component carrier N_(E) may beindirectly represented by the total number of RBs of the componentcarrier N_(T) or directly represented by the actual number of extensionRBs of the component carrier N_(E) ^(actual).

The order of the blocks according to this embodiment is also veryflexible besides the block 303 has to follow the block 301, the block304 has to follow the block 302 and block 306 has to follow the block305.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a UE can obtain aresource partition of a component carrier via receiving and decoding thenumber of extension RBs of the component carrier. The encoded number ofextension RBs of the component carrier can be received from a componentcarrier or subcarriers. Multiple encoded numbers of extension RBs ofmultiple component carriers can be received from the same componentcarrier or subcarrier. The encoded number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier can be decoded according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs. When the component carrier only comprises extension RBs theencoded number of primary RBs can be signaled through from spare valuesor spare bits in an existing MIB of a component carrier. When theextension RBs of the component carrier are located asymmetrically aroundthe primary RBs the UE can obtain the location of the extension RBs viaadditional information or predefined rules.

One embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described to show adata structure which comprises resource partition information of acomponent carrier in a wireless communication system. This datastructure includes at least one entity which indicates an availablenumber of extension RBs of the component carrier for a supported numberof primary RBs.

Specifically, this data structure may include some options correspondingto the representations in the block 202.

A. The data structure as shown in Table 2 includes at least one entitywhich is encoded independently of the number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier.

B. The data structure as shown in Table 3 includes at least one entitywhich indicates one available combination of the number of primary RBsand the number of extension RBs. The entity is encoded jointly with thenumber of primary RBs of the component carrier.

C. The data structure as shown in Table 3 includes at least one entitywhich indicates one available combination of the number of primary RBsand the number of extension RBs. The entity is encoded dependently onthe number of primary RBs of the component carrier.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the datastructure makes it possible to encode the number of extension RBs of acomponent carrier. So a resource partition of the component carrier canbe communicated between a base station and a UE.

One embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described withreference to FIG. 4 showing an apparatus 40 for signaling resourcepartition of at least one component carrier to a UE in a wirelesscommunication system. This apparatus 40 may function in a transmitter,base station. Specifically, this apparatus 40 includes a primaryencoding module 401, an extension encoding module 402, a primarysignaling module 403 and an extension signaling module 404. Even ifvarious modules are illustrated in disjoint blocks or boxes of thedrawing, this does not exclude that the modules, e.g. primary encodingmodule and extension encoding module, have common parts or circuitry.

The primary encoding module 401 is configured to encode the number ofprimary RBs of a component carrier.

The extension encoding module 402 is configured to encode number ofextension RBs of the component carrier according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs. The encoded number of extension RBs identifies for thenumber of primary RBs the available number of extension RBs.

The primary signaling module 403 is configured to signal the encodednumber of primary RBs through at least one primary RB of the componentcarrier; and

The extension signaling module 404 is configured to signal said encodednumber of extension RBs.

The extension encoding module 402 may include a first encoding module4021, a second encoding module 4022 and a third encoding module 4023.

The first encoding module 4021 is configured to encode the number ofextension RBs with an encoding method being independent of the number ofprimary RBs of the component carrier according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs.

The second encoding module 4022 is configured to encode the number ofextension RBs and the number of primary RBs of the component carrierwith a joint encoding method according to a representation comprisingthe number of extension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs.

The third encoding module 4023 is configured to encode the number ofextension RBs with an encoding method being dependent on the number ofprimary RBs of the component carrier according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs.

The extension signaling module 404 may include a first signaling module4041, a second signaling module 4042 and a third signaling module 4043.

The first signaling module 4041 is configured to signal the encodednumber of extension RBs through at least one primary RB of a componentcarrier. Of course, the component carrier which carries the encodednumber of extension RBs of a component carrier 1 may be the componentcarrier 1 or other component carrier, i.e. component carrier 2.

The second signaling module 4042 is configured to signal the encodednumber of extension RBs through at least one extension RB of a componentcarrier. Similarly, the component carrier which carries the encodednumber of extension RBs of a component carrier 1 may be the componentcarrier 1 or other component carrier, i.e. component carrier 2.

The third signaling module 4043 is configured to signal the encodednumber of extension RBs through at least one subcarrier located betweentwo component carriers.

The extension signaling module 404 may further include a multiple ofsignaling modules not shown in FIG. 4. The multiple signaling modulesare configured to signal the encoded numbers of extension RBs ofmultiple component carriers through the same component carrier or thesame at least one subcarrier located between two component carriers.

The apparatus 40 may further include a third encoding module and a thirdsignaling module which are not shown in FIG. 4.

The third encoding module is configured to encode additional informationon the location of extension RBs of the component carrier.

The third signaling module is configured to signaling the encodedadditional information on the location of extension RBs of the componentcarrier.

The number of extension RBs of the component carrier may be indirectlyrepresented by the total number of RBs of the component carrier ordirectly represented by the actual number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier.

The above described apparatus 40 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure can be adapted to perform any of the steps of the method forsignaling resource partition of at least one component carrier accordingto the embodiment of the disclosure.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus 40can communicate a resource partition of a component carrier to a UE viaencoding and signaling the number of extension RBs of the componentcarrier. The number of extension RBs of the component carrier can beencoded according to a representation comprising the number of extensionRBs for any supported number of primary RBs. The encoded number ofextension RBs of the component carrier can be signaled through acomponent carrier or subcarriers. Multiple encoded numbers of extensionRBs of multiple component carriers can be signaled through the samecomponent carrier or subcarrier. When the extension RBs of the componentcarrier are located asymmetrically around the primary RBs the locationof the extension RBs will also be encoded and signaled.

One embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described withreference to FIG. 5 showing a UE 50 for receiving resource partition ofat least one component carrier in a wireless communication system. ThisUE 50 may be a LTE-Advanced UE. Specifically, this UE 50 includes aprimary receiving module 501, an extension receiving module 502, aprimary decoding module 503 and an extension decoding module 504. Evenif various modules are illustrated in disjoint blocks or boxes of thedrawing, this does not exclude that the modules, e.g. primary decodingmodule and extension decoding module, have common parts or circuitry.

The primary receiving module 501 is configured to receive an encodednumber of primary RBs of a component carrier.

The extension receiving module 502 is configured to receive an encodednumber of extension RBs of the component carrier. The extensionreceiving module 502 may receive the encoded number of extension RBs ofcomponent carrier 1 from the component carrier 1 or other componentcarrier. The extension receiving module 502 may also receive the encodednumber of extension RBs of the component carrier from a subcarrierlocated between two component carriers. For the situation of multipleencoded numbers of extension RBs of multiple component carriers, theextension receiving module 502 may receive several encoded numbers ofextension RBs of multiple component carriers from the same componentcarrier or subcarrier.

The primary decoding module 503 is configured to decode the encodednumber of primary RBs to obtain the number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier.

The extension decoding module 504 is configured to decode the encodednumber of extension RBs according to a representation comprising thenumber of extension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs toobtain the number of extension RBs of the component carrier.

The extension decoding module 504 may include a first decoding module5041 which is configured to decode the encoded number of extension RBsdependently on the number of primary RBs of the component carrieraccording to a representation comprising the number of extension RBs forany supported number of primary RBs to obtain the number of extensionRBs of the component carrier.

The extension decoding module 504 may further include a second decodingmodule which is not shown in FIG. 5. The second decoding module isconfigured to directly decode the encoded number of extension RBsaccording to a representation comprising the number of extension RBs forany supported number of primary RBs to obtain the number of extensionRBs of the component carrier.

If the extension receiving module 502 receives several encoded numbersof extension RBs of multiple component carriers from the same componentcarrier or subcarrier, the extension decoding module 504 just decodesthem separately and obtains several numbers of extension RBs of multiplecomponent carriers.

If the extension RBs of the component carrier are located asymmetricallyaround the primary RBs, the UE 50 may further include a third receivingmodule and a third decoding module which is not shown in FIG. 5.

The third receiving module is configured to receive the encodedadditional information on the location of extension RBs of the componentcarrier.

The third decoding module is configured to decode the encoded additionalinformation to obtain the location of extension RBs of the componentcarrier.

The number of extension RBs of the component carrier may be indirectlyrepresented by the total number of RBs of the component carrier ordirectly represented by the actual number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier.

The above described UE 50 according to the embodiment of the disclosurecan be adapted to perform any of the steps of the method for receivingresource partition of at least one component carrier according to theembodiment of the disclosure.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure we can see the UE50 can obtain a resource partition of a component carrier via receivingand decoding the number of extension RBs of the component carrier. Theencoded number of extension RBs of the component carrier can be receivedfrom a component carrier or subcarrier. Multiple encoded numbers ofextension RBs of multiple component carriers can be received from thesame component carrier or subcarrier. The encoded number of extensionRBs of the component carrier can be decoded according to arepresentation comprising the number of extension RBs for any supportednumber of primary RBs. When the extension RBs of the component carrierare located asymmetrically around the primary RBs the UE can get thelocation of the extension RBs via additional information.

One embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described withreference to FIG. 6 showing a system 60 for signaling resource partitionof at least one component carrier in a wireless communication system.Specifically, the system 60 includes a base station 601 and the UE 602.

The base station 601 is configured to encode the number of primary RBsof a component carrier; encode the number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier according to a representation comprising the number ofextension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs, wherein theencoded number of extension RBs identifies for the number of primary RBsthe available number of extension RBs; signal the encoded number ofprimary RBs through at least one primary RB of the component carrier;and signaling the encoded number of extension RBs.

The UE 602 is configured to receive the encoded number of primary RBs ofthe component carrier; receive the encoded number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier; decode the encoded number of primary RBs to getthe number of primary RBs of the component carrier; and decode theencoded number of extension RBs according to a representation comprisingthe number of extension RBs for any supported number of primary RBs toget the number of extension RBs of the component carrier.

The base station 601 may be the apparatus 40. The UE 602 may have thesame structure as the UE 50.

The number of extension RBs of the component carrier may be indirectlyrepresented by the total number of RBs of the component carrier ordirectly represented by the actual number of extension RBs of thecomponent carrier.

The above described base station 601 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure can be adapted to perform any of the steps of the method forsignaling resource partition of at least one component carrier accordingto the embodiment of the disclosure. The above described UE 602according to the embodiment of the disclosure can be adapted to performany of the steps of the method for receiving resource partition of atleast one component carrier according to the embodiment of thedisclosure.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure we can see in thesystem 60 the base station 601 can communicate a resource partition of acomponent carrier to the UE 602 via encoding and signaling the number ofextension RBs of the component carrier. The number of extension RBs ofthe component carrier can be encoded according to a representationcomprising the number of extension RBs for any supported number ofprimary RBs.

Some detailed embodiments are given to make the present disclosure moreclear.

One detailed embodiment of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 7. It is assumed that a component carrierincluding total 100 RBs will be transmitted to an LTE-Advanced UE. Thenumber of primary RBs of the component carrier N_(P) is 75. Thestructure of this component carrier is illustrated in FIG. 8 where thereare 13 extension RBs to the left of the primary RBs and 12 extension RBsto the right of the primary RBs. The representation in this detailedembodiment is the second option in block 202, i.e. the Table 3 is usedin the encoding procedure and decoding procedure. As show in FIG. 7, themethod for this detailed embodiment includes following blocks.

Block 701: The number of primary RBs of the component carrier (N_(P)=75)is encoded.

Block 702: The number of total RBs of the component carrier (N_(T)=100)is encoded according to Table 3.

Since the N_(P)=75 and N_(T)=100, the encoded number of total RBs of thecomponent carrier is {1, 0, 0, 1, 1}.

Block 703: The encoded number of primary RBs is signaled through atleast one primary RB of the component carrier.

Block 704: The encoded number of total RBs {1, 0, 0, 1, 1} is signaledto the LTE-Advanced UE through at least one primary RB of the componentcarrier.

Here, the encoded number of total RBs {1, 0, 0, 1, 1} is signaledthrough new fields in the existing SIB.

Because the extension RBs of the component carrier are locatedasymmetrically around the primary RBs, the method according to thisdetailed embodiment may further include the following blocks.

Block 705: Additional information on the location of extension RBs ofthe component carrier is encoded.

A bitmap representation, which can indicate there are 13 extension RBsto the left of the primary RBs and 12 extension RBs to the right of theprimary RBs may be encoded in conjunction with N_(P).

Block 706: The encoded additional information on the location ofextension RBs of the component carrier is signaled to the LTE-AdvancedUE.

Block 707: The LTE-Advanced UE receives the encoded number of primaryRBs of the component carrier.

Block 708: The LTE-Advanced UE receives the encoded number of total RBsof the component carrier, i.e. {1, 0, 0, 1, 1}.

The LTE-Advanced UE receives the encoded number of total RBs of thecomponent carrier from new fields in an existing SIB in primary RB ofthe component carrier.

Block 709: The encoded number of primary RBs is decoded to obtain thenumber of primary RBs of the component carrier (N_(P)=75).

Block 710: The encoded number of total RBs is decoded according to Table3 to obtain the number of total RBs of the component carrier(N_(T)=100).

In fact, the LTE-Advanced UE can decode {1, 0, 0, 1, 1} directlyaccording to Table 3 to (N_(T) =100, N _(P)=75). In this case, theblocks 701, 703, 707 and 709 are not necessarily needed to theLTE-Advanced UE in this detailed embodiment.

Because the extension RBs of the component carrier are locatedasymmetrically around the primary RBs, the method according to thisdetailed embodiment may further include the following blocks.

Block 711: The LTE-Advanced UE receives the encoded additionalinformation on the location of extension RBs of the component carrier.

Block 712: The LTE-Advanced UE decodes the encoded additionalinformation to obtain the location of extension RBs of the componentcarrier.

The LTE-Advanced UE decodes the bitmap and obtains there are 13extension RBs to the left of the primary RBs and 12 extension RBs to theright of the primary RBs.

According to the detailed embodiment of the present disclosure, theLTE-Advanced UE can determine the N_(T)=100, N_(P)=75, also the N_(E)^(actual)32 25 according to N_(T)=N_(P)+N_(E) ^(actual). The location ofthe extension RBs which is 13 extension RBs to the left of the primaryRBs and 12 extension RBs to the right of the primary RBs is alsorealized. So the resource partition of the component carrier is obtainedby the LTE-Advanced UE.

One detailed embodiment of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 9. It is assumed that component carrier 1including total 110 RBs (N_(T1)=110) and component carrier 2 includingtotal 75 RBs (N_(T2)=75) will be transmitted to an LTE-Advanced UE. Thenumber of primary RBs of the component carrier 1 is 100 (N_(P1)32 100).The number of primary RBs of the component carrier 2 is 100 (N_(P2)=25).The structure of the two component carriers is illustrated in FIG. 10where extension RBs of the component carrier 1 are located symmetricallyaround primary RBs of the component carrier 1 and the extension RBs ofthe component carrier 2 are also located symmetrically around theprimary RBs of the component carrier 2. The representation in thisdetailed embodiment is the third option in block 202, i.e. the Table 4is used in the encoding procedure and decoding procedure. As show inFIG. 9, the method for this detailed embodiment includes followingblocks.

Block 901: The number of primary RBs of the component carrier 1(N_(P1)=100) and the number of primary RBs of the component carrier 2(N_(P2)=25) are encoded respectively.

Block 902: The number of total RBs of the component carrier 1(N_(T1)=110) and the number of total RBs of the component carrier 2(N_(T2)=75) are encoded according to Table 4 respectively.

Since the N_(P1)=100 and N_(T1)=110, the encoded number of total RBs ofthe component carrier 1 is {0, 1, 0}. Since the N_(P2)=25 and N_(T2)=75,the encoded number of total RBs of the component carrier 1 is {1, 0, 1}.

Block 903: The encoded number of primary RBs of the component carrier 1is signaled through at least one primary RB of the component carrierland the encoded number of primary RBs of the component carrier 2 issignaled through at least one primary RB of the component carrier 2.

Block 904: The encoded number of total RBs of the component carrier 1{0, 1, 0} and the encoded number of total RBs of the component carrier 2{1, 0, 1} are signaled to the LTE-Advanced UE through at least oneprimary RB of the component carrier 1.

Here, the encoded number of total RBs of the component carrier 1 {0, 1,0} and the encoded number of total RBs of the component carrier 2 {1, 0,1} are signaled through a new SIB in the primary RB of the componentcarrier 1.

Block 905: The LTE-Advanced UE receives the encoded number of primaryRBs of the component carrier 1 and the encoded number of primary RBs ofthe component carrier 2.

Block 906: The LTE-Advanced UE receives the encoded number of total RBsof the component carrier 1 {0, 1, 0} and the encoded number of total RBsof the component carrier 2 {1, 0, 1}.

The LTE-Advanced UE receives this information from a new SIB in primaryRB of the component carrier 1.

Block 907: The encoded number of primary RBs of the component carrier 1is decoded to obtain the number of primary RBs of the component carrier1 (N_(P1)=100) and the encoded number of primary RBs of the componentcarrier 2 is decoded to obtain the number of primary RBs of thecomponent carrier 2 (N_(P2)=25).

Block 908: The encoded number of total RBs of the component carrier 1 isdecoded according to Table 4 to obtain the number of total RBs of thecomponent carrier (N_(T1)=110) and the encoded number of total RBs ofthe component carrier 2 is decoded according to Table 4 to obtain thenumber of total RBs of the component carrier 2 (N_(T2)=75).

According to the detailed embodiment of the present disclosure, theLTE-Advanced UE can determine the N_(T1)=110, N_(P1)=100, also theN_(E1) ^(actual)=25 of the component carrier 1 according toN_(T)=N_(P)+N_(E) ^(actual). In the same way, the LTE-Advanced UE candetermine the N_(T2)=75, N_(P2)=25, also the N_(E2) ^(actual)=25 of thecomponent carrier 2 according to N_(T)=N_(P)+N_(E) ^(actual).

Because both the extension RBs of the component carrier 1 and thecomponent carrier 2 are located asymmetrically around the primary RBs,it is sufficient for the LTE-Advanced UE to determine the location ofthe extension RBs of the component carrier 1 and the component carrier 2via only obtaining the N_(T) and N_(P) of the two component carriers.The location of the extension RBs of the component carrier 1 which is 5extension RBs to the left of the primary RBs and 5 extension RBs to theright of the primary RBs and the location of the extension RBs of thecomponent carrier 2 which is 25 extension RBs to the left of the primaryRBs and 25 extension RBs to the right of the primary RBs are alsorealized. So the resource partitions of the component carrier 1 and thecomponent carrier 2 is obtained by the LTE-Advanced UE.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure also include acomputer program product with computer program code A1, schematicallyshown in FIG. 11, which, when executed by a computer, will enable thecomputer to perform the steps of the above described inventive method.Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a computer programproduct with computer program code A1 which, when executed, will enablea base station or a user equipment to perform the steps of the inventivemethod described above. The present disclosure also relates to acomputer readable medium A for carrying or having computer program codeA1 according to the disclosure, such as computer-executable code,computer-executable instructions, computer-readable instructions, ordata structures, stored thereon. Such computer readable medium may beany available medium, which is accessible by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer system. By way of example, and not limitation,such computer-readable medium can comprise physical storage media suchas RAM, ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other media which can be used tocarry or store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, computer-readable instructions, ordata structures and which may be accessed by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer system. FIG. 11 illustrates the computerreadable medium as a compact disc.

In general, the different steps of the method of the disclosuredescribed above can be combined or performed in any suitable order. Theembodiments as well as the features of such embodiments described abovecan be combined if they do not exclude each other.

It will be understood that the disclosure is not restricted to theafore-described and illustrated exemplifying embodiments thereof andthat modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive conceptas illustrated in the accompanying Claims.

1. A method of signaling one or more resource partitions of at least onecomponent carrier in a wireless communication system, the methodcomprising: encoding, by a transmitter in the wireless communicationsystem, a number of primary resource blocks of a first componentcarrier; encoding, by the transmitter, a number of extension resourceblocks of said first component carrier according to a representationcomprising the number of extension resource blocks for any supportednumber of primary resource blocks, wherein said encoded number ofextension resource blocks determines, for the encoded number of primaryresource blocks, the available number of extension resource blocks; andsignaling, by the transmitter, said encoded numbers of primary andextension resource blocks of said first component carrier.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein said signaling said encoded numbers ofprimary and extension resource blocks is signaling through at least oneresource block of a component carrier.
 3. The method according to claim1 wherein said signaling said encoded numbers of primary and extensionresource blocks is signaling through at least one resource block of saidfirst component carrier.
 4. A method of signaling one or more resourcepartitions of at least one component carrier in a wireless communicationsystem, the method comprising: encoding, by a transmitter in thewireless communication system, a number of primary resource blocks of afirst component carrier; encoding, by the transmitter, a number ofextension resource blocks of said first component carrier according to arepresentation comprising the number of extension resource blocks forany supported number of primary resource blocks, wherein said encodednumber of extension resource blocks determines, for the encoded numberof primary resource blocks, the available number of extension resourceblocks; signaling, by the transmitter, said encoded number of primaryresource blocks through at least one primary resource block of saidfirst component carrier; and signaling, by the transmitter, said encodednumber of extension resource blocks.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein encoding the number of extension resource blocks of said firstcomponent carrier comprises: encoding the number of extension resourceblocks with an encoding method being independent of the number ofprimary resource blocks of said first component carrier.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein encoding the number of extension resourceblocks of said first component carrier comprises: encoding the number ofextension resource blocks and the number of primary resource blocks ofsaid first component carrier with a joint encoding method.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein encoding the number of extension resourceblocks of said first component carrier comprises: encoding the number ofextension resource blocks with an encoding method being dependent on thenumber of primary resource blocks of said first component carrier. 8.The method according to claim 4, wherein signaling said encoded numberof extension resource blocks comprises: signaling said encoded number ofextension resource blocks through at least one primary resource block ofa component carrier.
 9. The method according to claim 4, whereinsignaling said encoded number of extension resource blocks comprises:signaling said encoded number of extension resource blocks through atleast one extension resource block of a component carrier.
 10. Themethod according to claim 4, wherein signaling said encoded number ofextension resource blocks comprises: signaling said encoded number ofextension resource blocks through at least one subcarrier locatedbetween two component carriers.
 11. The method according to claim 4,wherein said first component carrier only comprises extension resourceblocks, and wherein the number of primary resource blocks of thecomponent carrier is
 0. 12. The method according to claim 4, wherein ifsaid extension resource blocks of said first component carrier arelocated asymmetrically around said primary resource blocks of said firstcomponent carrier, the method further comprises: encoding additionalinformation on the location of said extension resource blocks of saidfirst component carrier; and signaling said encoded additionalinformation on the location of said extension resource blocks.
 13. Amethod for receiving signaling of one or more resource partitions of atleast one component carrier in a wireless communication system,comprising: receiving, by a receiver in the wireless communicationsystem, an encoded number of primary resource blocks of a componentcarrier; receiving, by the receiver, an encoded number of extensionresource blocks of said component carrier; decoding, by the receiver,said encoded number of primary resource blocks to obtain the number ofprimary resource blocks of said component carrier; and decoding, by thereceiver, said encoded number of extension resource blocks according toa representation comprising the number of extension resource blocks forany supported number of primary resource blocks to obtain the number ofextension resource blocks of said component carrier.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein decoding said encoded number of extensionresource blocks comprises: decoding said encoded number of extensionresource blocks dependently on the number of primary resource blocks ofsaid component carrier to obtain the number of extension resource blocksof said component carrier.
 15. The method according to claim 13 whereinthe number of extension resource blocks is indirectly represented by thetotal number of resource blocks of said component carrier or directlyrepresented by the actual number of extension resource blocks of saidcomponent carrier.
 16. A transmitter for signaling of one or moreresource partitions of at least one component carrier in a wirelesscommunication system, the transmitter comprising a processor configuredto: encode the number of primary resource blocks of a component carrierand the number of extension resource blocks of said component carrieraccording to a representation comprising the number of extensionresource blocks, for any supported number of primary resource blocks,wherein said encoded number of extension resource blocks determines, forthe encoded number of primary resource blocks, the available number ofextension resource blocks; signal said encoded number of primary andextension resource blocks of said component carrier.
 17. A transmitterfor signaling one or more resource partitions of at least one componentcarrier in a wireless communication system, the transmitter comprising aprocessor configured to: encode the number of primary resource blocks ofa component carrier; encode number of extension resource blocks of saidcomponent carrier according to a representation comprising the number ofextension resource blocks for any supported number of primary resourceblocks, wherein said encoded number of extension resource blocksdetermines, for the encoded number of primary resource blocks, theavailable number of extension resource blocks; signal said encodednumber of primary resource blocks through at least one primary resourceblock of said component carrier; and an extension signaling module,configured to signal said encoded number of extension resource blocks.18. A user equipment for receiving signaling of one or more resourcepartitions of at least one component carrier in a wireless communicationsystem, the user equipment comprising a processor configured to: receivean encoded number of primary resource blocks of a component carrier;receive an encoded number of extension resource blocks of said componentcarrier; decode said encoded number of primary resource blocks to obtainthe number of primary resource blocks of said component carrier; anddecode said encoded number of extension resource blocks according to arepresentation comprising the number of extension resource blocks forany supported number of primary resource blocks to obtain the number ofextension resource blocks of said component carrier.